KENYA –The World Economic Forum (WEF) report places Kenya at the forefront of renewable energy adoption in Africa.
Sub-Saharan Africa leads in global uptake and investment in renewable energy, as highlighted in the latest findings.
This comprehensive report assesses the Energy Transition Index (ETI) across 120 countries from 2014 to 2023, with numerous African nations demonstrating double-digit performance.
Kenya, ranking 46th globally, leads Africa with an ETI score of 57.8 points, followed closely by Morocco (55.6), Namibia (55.1), Mauritius (55), and Cote d’Ivoire (53.1).
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, believes that Africa’s leading position signifies the continent’s immense potential for a sustainable future.
He emphasizes the need to leverage abundant renewable resources and attract investments to drive development, overcome historical challenges, and propel a transition to 100 percent renewable energy.
The report highlights Sub-Saharan Africa’s promising prospects, registering a 49.2 average score and witnessing an impressive 11 percent growth in the last decade.
This region stands out for its sustainability, regulatory indicators, creation of green jobs, and political commitment to sustainable energy.
Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania exhibit significant growth in the sub-sector, surpassing most European and Latin American countries in investments and adoption of renewable energy over the past nine years.
The assessment framework, focusing on energy equity, security, and environmental sustainability, applauds Kenya’s significant jump in rank due to its proactive measures in transition readiness, particularly in enhancing regulatory environments and infrastructure.
Lorraine Chiponda, Coordinator of Movement Building Space, emphasizes the need to rectify the global imbalance in renewable energy investments in Africa.
Chiponda advocates for a world where clean energy becomes a tangible reality for every community, urging resource allocation that empowers people toward a sustainable future.
The accelerated adoption of renewables in Africa reinforces the global fight against the climate crisis and aligns with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming.
However, the report underscores the urgency for cleaner energy sources and technologies to meet 2030 targets and mitigate climate change effects.
Despite Africa’s commendable progress in renewable energy investments, challenges persist, including cost implications and competing developmental needs.
The report stresses the pressing nature of the energy transition and the complexities faced by developing nations in navigating this critical shift.
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